WiseDeeMan

Agree @binman …I’ve been fortunate to train with many elite level athletes including many Olympians. I’ve been in squads that have had Olympic athletes, athletes that weren’t quite at that level, and others that were no where near it. Same coach, same message, same program, yet some were multiple Olympic Gold medalists, and others - nobodies. So what was the difference? I mean yes we can talk physical advantages - but I can largely say its application (mindset). Willing to push themselves more than anyone else. Day in day out. Never excuses. With the down days, the drop off is minimal. I vividly remember one morning, one of Australia’s greatest athletes that everyone would know, pushing himself so much he projectile vomited. Took a few deep breaths and then went again for the next rep of the main set. While most others in the squad, were just not willing to go to that level (maybe they were the sensible ones!). There is an interesting paradox however - This particular coach here, would either make or break athletes. He had Olympic Gold Medalists, but would burn out a hundred other athletes to get that 1. The art of being a great coach in any area, is being able to effectively influence each athlete, or in this case, player. It’s the ability to get the most out of each individual, not just a portion. To know what buttons to push. And that is a different skill set than the programming piece. Purely an opinion from the outside here, but based on what ive seen (relying on footage) - this is where Burgess seems elite. It’s the ‘coach’ side of him that gets the buy in from each and every player. This is where the gold lies in my view. We had mental toughness about us at that time. From what I see currently - we now don’t. Whether this is all tied together here, I do not know, but my guess is it is. Time will tell…

When Burgess was departing the club, I happened to be talking to a mate who is working as part of a strength & conditioning team at another AFL club. I asked him - “Burgess is well known to be the number 1 man in the industry, outside of him, who is the next best rated? His answer surprised me. He said, “you’ve already got him - Selwyn Griffith”. I agree, fitness was an issue, but remember they don’t run the whole thing. There was a clear message at the start of preseason. Day 1 - normally we do 2km time trial and straight into heavy fitness. This year - it was more viewed to work on building the love as the priority early on. Maybe the consequence of rebuilding connection was a little less fitness. And a little less might make all the difference. So maybe it might be a time for change, but I wouldn’t point the fitness problem just at him.

Anyone saying bad timing, why now, makes no sense. It’s perfect timing. In business if you decide to move on from someone, the best time to finish is immediately. Out of respect to him, and the best thing for the organisation. We do it any later than now, knowing we aren’t going with him next year, would be lunacy. He’s been a great coach for us and should be always respected for that, and now is the time to start building out next premiership

I think the most disturbing fact is the overwhelming majority of players have either declined, or simply not improved at all.. Bowey and Kozzy have been outstanding. Chandler and Turner have improved, and ironically Melksham has also improved. But outside of this, I’m struggling to find anyone else? For me, all of the following regulars; Trac, Oliver, Viney, Salem, Rivers, May, Lever, JVR, Sparrow, Petty, Fritsch, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup and Langdon have all individually declined from their best football. That is damning I’d love you guys to go through each of our regular seniors and give a one word answer - improved, same or declined.

I mean I don’t want to lose him but let’s not get hysterical over it. The thing that annoys me in a situation like this if it comes true is West Coast and Freo didn’t draft him and had the chance. We’ve drafted him and developed him and given him the opportunity to be where he is today, and then the first contract post that “I’m home sick”. Let’s hope it’s all BS.

What an album!

https://youtu.be/3uh5SE24RNg This guy knows his stuff - watch this! If this happens I’m doing a nudie run Has us with Jagga at 5 and Langford at 9

Richmond have played this very very well. The silence out of the Tigers has been deafening. No leaks whatsoever and everyone is still guessing what they will do at 1. I've got a feeling they are going Jagga Smith at 1. I don't know why, but I think that will happen. It will be very interesting what happens from here.

It’s a great advantage for us to not play in opening round in my view. 6 weeks extra preparation over Sydney & Brisbane, 5 weeks - Geelong 4 weeks - GWS, Hawthorn & Port And to a lesser extent, 2 weeks more than dogs and Carlton. In terms of base from a conditioning, as well as from a psychological perspective, this is a HUGE advantage over last years 8 best teams.

Let’s keep in mind pick 28 will equal the equivalent of pick 33 after father sons and academy picks. - He just finished 3rd in the B&F - Is an outstanding leader - Is an outstanding trainer and sets the standards - Plays the high half forward as good as any in the game - Has many years of good footy in him. - Has 2 years left on his contract. We have been push overs for years at the draft table. It’s close, but Pick 20-23 (pre f/s and academy) is where it should be at, not an eventual 33/34. Adelaide give us that, or we hold him to his contract. John Noble can’t get a regular game with Collingwood, and is a guy 20-25 on their list. Yet they will get pick 13 for him. Younger yes, not not as valuable in my view.

Couldn't agree more. And this again shows he's treated differently to others. I don't care how good he was/is - he needed to have several months of hard work to get back into that team. Instead he trained for 5 minutes and never missed an AFL game.

Agree Rufus - ps Great band Rufus!

I was told at the beginning of 2021 specifically from a former player (hasn't been at the club for a 2-3 years now) Oliver is big, big trouble. He is treated differently to everyone else simply because he is a good player. If others were to do some of the things he does, they would be treated very differently. He mentioned that one day when Oliver was behaving poorly, he gave it to him straight....yet Oliver wasn't the one reprimanded, it was Goodwin who spoke with this particular player and said "you can't talk to Clayton like that, we have to be careful with him". I would say enough is enough. He clearly is massive trouble and has a huge contract. Let go of getting compensated fairly based on his playing ability alone. It's the whole package you must look at, his character is highly questionable and his contract will haunt us for years to come if he stays. I'm guessing here, and this is just my opinion, but we have heard Petracca isn't upset with Oliver, but more with the way the club has handled him. I would say this is consistent with the above - they have had rules for him, and rules for others. It also was backed up by the infamous Pert / Goodwin interview where they said we've tolerated things and he will now be held accountable for his actions. Overall a good move by the MFC I say.

Wanting Oliver to stay because otherwise he will do well at Geelong, is like staying with your wife only because you don't want her to sleep with someone else! If he's as big of a problem as it seems - move him on. I think this is beyond reasonable doubt. Our midfield is one dimensional currently, and the game has gone past pure in and under grunt players. Hit the draft with a few top 10s this year and next, bring in skill, speed, and high quality characters. We will be better for it and forget what he does after he has left.

Brad Green is also part of the problem - he ain't the saviour!